Gleneagles Hotel

Gleneagles, a stunning hotel set in the glorious Scottish Highlands against the background of the rolling Ochil Hills. Seasonal ownership is somewhat of a fine art at their custom-built Glenmor village – a collection of just 53 two, three and four bedroomed houses, set around a lochan (that’s a baby loch, for the uninitiated) and traditional village green. By renowned designer Amanda Rosa, the homes have all the sumptuous finishes you would expect from a Leading Hotel of the World, but with a comfortable, homely feel – there’s no need to worry about the small children/irreplaceable antique interface here.

Every home has a welcoming open plan lounge and dining space, indulgent bathrooms, generous outside terraces for long, al fresco lunches, and cosy bedrooms. Two mountain bikes are included, so guests can explore the extensive estate. The kitchens are fully equipped with everything needed to rustle up a meal – the dedicated Glenmor concierge team will even pack away the online shopping into the cupboards before you arrive. Equally, if cooking feels like too much of a chore, they will happily organise a private chef from the hotel to take care of dinner.

The hotel offers an enormous range, from the two Michelin star, multi-award winning gastronome’s paradise of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, to the casual bistro-chic of the brand-new Birnam Brasserie. For coffee and cake moments, the Garden Café is a chilled-out space, perfect for watching the world go by. And when it’s time for an aperitif, you’ll be hard pushed to choose between the classy, traditional Century Bar at the heart of hotel, the darkly sophisticated, grown-ups only American Bar, or the casually informal Auchterarder 70, with its stunning views over the rolling links of the King’s and Queen’s Courses.

There’s plenty to do to work up a thirst, or indeed an appetite. If Scotland is the home of golf, then Gleneagles is its heart: with access to three world-class courses, including the PGA Centenary course, venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup, keen golfers and novices alike will be in paradise. But don’t worry if golf isn’t your thing -- Gleneagles is truly a glorious playground for all sorts of country pursuits. From falconry to fishing, gundog handling to Segway trails, there are so many things to try. If your heart is in the hills, they’ve recently introduced guided walks, where guests can immerse themselves in the stunning Scottish countryside and spot red deer, peregrine falcons and maybe even a golden eagle. (If that sounds like too much effort, there’s also an off-road Land Rover safari, with a champagne picnic and knowledgeable guide to bring the local area to life.) Almost every activity is open to the whole family – whether it’s the mini driving school or a mini pony, Gleneagles is very much a family resort. If the fantastic Health Club with its outdoor pool and family pool doesn’t keep them busy, there’s a full programme of children’s events and activities during the school holidays.

Glenmor strikes the perfect balance between having the space to do nothing and the opportunity to do it all.  And it’s surprisingly affordable too: Seasonal ownership at Gleneagles is available from as little as £10,110 for a full week or only £7,125 for a short break.